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A security guard shot to death one of several people police said were attempting to rob jewelry from an indoor swap meet in Fontana Friday afternoon.

The dead man was not immediately identified.

At least one of the robbers had a gun, said Fontana police Sgt. Pat Mackey at a news conference this evening. He said three men wearing dark hooded sweatshirts and ski masks went into the swap meet in the 9700 block of Sierra Avenue just before 2 p.m.

One pistol-whipped the guard while at least one other smashed a jewelry case.

The assaulted guard pulled a handgun and shot one of the robbers, killing him, Mackey said. The other robbers ran out the front door. It did not appear that anything was taken.

The guard was taken to a hospital for treatment of unspecified injuries. Mackey said he was expected to recover.

Police were reviewing surveillance video to try to identify the other robbers, Mackey said, but they did not plan to immediately make that video public.

âThe lead detective doesnât want to put anything out yet,â he said, adding that video might be released over the weekend or early next week, depending on whether detectives believe that the public could help them identify the robbers.

In addition to the hoods and masks, the robbers appeared to be wearing gloves, he said.

To the best of his knowledge, Mackey said this is the first time that a security guard at the swap meet has shot someone.

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